The Bible in Public Schools.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 304, 30 June 1896, Page 2

The Bible in Public Schools.

REV. ISITTS OPINION. (Per Press Association.) . ' I Wellington, June, 29V ' ' Yes," said Mr Isitt to an interviewer, "il was very mnch interested in the educational straggle that was going on 'in England. I left New Zealand a sopporter of Bible-teaching in schools in some form; but I have comeback determined to oppose, by every legitimate means in my power, any interference with our present system. That may be a very unpopular thing to say, but by this time I am pretty well accustomed to opposition. Ido not think that either the Roman Catholic or the Anglican Party can be trusted in this matter. The Catholics, of course, take a very definite stand, and no one can misunderstand their aim and object; but the Anglican Party here, while professing to to be content with one concession, would follow the example, I feel sure, of their church in England, and speedily make any concession the basis of new and wider agitation demands. The intensity of feeling evoked by the Voluntary Schools Bill that has bad to be dropped this session, but which will assuredly not be abandoned, is evidence to those who have eyes to see of the danger that threatens English Nonconformity, should Sic John Gorst's Bill ever become law. It will not only mean . the breaking up of School Boards, but the absolute extinction of rural : Nonconformity ; and while this may seem nn extreme statement to those who are* not familiar" with the strides which the J High Church Party has made of recent years in England, one has only to see* what has been accomplished., in th& way of ' catholicising' the" masses of ;the people to know tbattbiS is not a vain fear." v '; Regarding the position of the prohibition cause in New Zealand, and the plan of campaign for the future, Mr Isitt said, "I am very moch pleased with the immense progress that has been made in my absence by the Prohibition Party in New Zealand. Undoubtedly the organisation throughout the colony has been perfected in, a wonderful way. While we have not yet got all the legislation we want, we have more than the most sanguine of us hoped for at the commencement of last year, and we confidently expect to give a good account of ourselves at the coming licensing and general elections."